GOD'S WORD IN DAILY LIFE
18 November/Thursday/ Dedication of the Churches of Peter and Paul, Apostles
Acts 28,11-16.30-31/Psa 98,1.2-3ab.3c-4.5-6/Matt 14,22-23
By Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD
There is no choice between ferial and memorial readings today, because all readings are proper to the memorial.
First Reading Acts 28:11-16,30-31
So we came to Rome
At the end of three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island; she came from Alexandria and her figurehead was the Twins. We put in at Syracuse and spent three days there; from there we followed the coast up to Rhegium. After one day there a south wind sprang up and on the second day we made Puteoli, where we found some brothers and were much rewarded by staying a week with them. And so we came to Rome.
When the brothers there heard of our arrival they came to meet us, as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them he thanked God and took courage. On our arrival in Rome Paul was allowed to stay in lodgings of his own with the soldier who guarded him.
Paul spent the whole of the two years in his own rented lodging. He welcomed all who came to visit him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete freedom and without hindrance from anyone.
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 97(98):1-6
The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.
Sing a new song to the Lord
for he has worked wonders.
His right hand and his holy arm
have brought salvation.
The Lord has made known his salvation;
has shown his justice to the nations.
He has remembered his truth and love
for the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth,
ring out your joy.
Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp
with the sound of music.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
acclaim the King, the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation cf. Te Deum
Alleluia, alleluia!
We praise you, O God,
we acknowledge you to be the Lord.
The glorious company of the apostles praise you, O Lord.
Alleluia!
Gospel Matthew 14:22-33
Jesus walks on the water
Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he would send the crowds away. After sending the crowds away he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, while the boat, by now far out on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea, for there was a head-wind. In the fourth watch of the night he went towards them, walking on the lake, and when the disciples saw him walking on the lake they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost’ they said, and cried out in fear. But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’ It was Peter who answered. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.’ ‘Come’ said Jesus. Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, but as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he took fright and began to sink. ‘Lord! Save me!’ he cried. Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. ‘Man of little faith,’ he said ‘why did you doubt?’ And as they got into the boat the wind dropped. The men in the boat bowed down before him and said, ‘Truly, you are the Son of God.’
Reflection
The two readings today speak about the two great personalities of Christianity in New Testament times. The First Reading gives an account of the arrival of Paul in Rome. Paul came to Rome as a prisoner because in his trial in Israel, he appealed to Caesar, using his right as a Roman citizen. The reading speaks of his meeting with some members of the Christian community in Rome. The presence of these brothers gave Paul courage to face his condition of a prisoner. He knew he was not going to be alone in the city. It was an opportunity for him to meet the Roman community and explain his position about the Christian faith to them. The arrival of Paul in Rome also marked the last stage of his earthly life. He would be beheaded later in this city and a basilica built over his grave just outside the city walls.
On the day we celebrate the dedication of the Basilica of St. Paul outside the walls, we also celebrate the dedication of the basilica that bears the name of Peter. The Gospel Reading focuses on Peter using the episode of his attempt to walk on the lake. At the request of Peter, Jesus told him to come to him on the waters but out of fright Peter started sinking. Jesus remarked that he was of little faith, thus his failure to walk on the water. The experience of Peter reflects what happens to us in moments of difficulties and doubts. We also begin to sink if we do not have faith and if we are not able to cling to the Lord. We should all learn to have faith in God at all times but we know it is not easy for us to do so all by ourselves. We have the example of Paul who knew he was heading to his death but his faith in God make him take courage to make the journey to Rome. Paul’s faith in the Lord did not waver in the face of difficulties. The presence of some members of the community who came to meet him on his arrival was a source of encouragement. Both Peter and Paul teach us the need to have faith in God. If we have faith, we would be able to withstand all difficulties or challenges and embrace hardships for the greater glory of God.